Introduction
A rumour can be defined as inaccurate or exaggerated information that becomes distorted as it is transmitted either directly by word of mouth or indirectly via informational media (television, print press, etc.). It manifests in various forms through the media.
Different Forms of Mediated Rumours
It is clear that rumours, as they are passed along, non-randomly alter the information they carry. Certain informational elements are forgotten, altered, or exaggerated. Rumors include: false information, fake news, journalistic errors, and disinformation tactics, provided they are revealed later and cause controversy; prejudices, when they are shared; propaganda, when it relies on personal stories. Viral communication, when the product being promoted is overshadowed by a (too) “good story.” This is the case with rumors that emerge from advertising a product. Product rumours are part of influence techniques used in distraction strategies.
How are Rumours Generated
Most rumours are generated spontaneously and are not the result of a conspiracy but of a lie or “idle talk” seized and amplified by a group or society for various reasons. Rumours sometimes offer a simplified and comforting explanation for certain societal issues, explaining their success. These explanations often come down to assigning blame — a scapegoat with a false “reason” that people want to believe due to existing prejudices. This is informal communication conveying unofficial information. A number of rumours, particularly close to elections, are intentionally created to discredit an opponent or promote a political agenda. Furthermore, new technologies (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) promote the rapid spread of information, making it harder to control. Rumours are also a manipulation technique used in psychological harassment. They may be started by a single person or by groups, as is often the case with cyberbullying on social media.
Means of Dispersing Rumours
The most common strategy for controlling and stopping rumours is a denial. This involves information that contradicts the rumour and is released by the individuals or groups who are its victims. Unfortunately, a denial does not always prove the rumour is false: either the proof exists but requires a scientific explanation too complex for the general public, or the proof doesn’t exist, and both sides argue without one clearly outweighing the other in credibility.
Conclusion
Finally, rumour is an integral part of daily life and concerns all of us, even as we claim not to pay attention to it or participate in spreading it. With the rise of new technologies, it is becoming increasingly widespread in Chad. Denials can sometimes have a worse effect than simply being ineffective. In fact, a “boomerang effect” can occur.
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